The LNP government was tarnished by the sacking of Campbell Newman’s "handpicked" transport department Director-General, Michael Caltabiano (left) and the forced resignation of Ros Bates over a controversy surrounding meetings with lobbyists. Photo: Robert Rough and Harrison Saragossi

But it’s a promise that’s been regularly tested since the Liberal National Party claimed 78 of the 89 seats in the parliament.

Critics, including unions, criticised the way the Newman government cut the public service, shedding 14,000 jobs for the sake of the budget.

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Mr Newman has also been criticised for standing by two of his ministers, Bruce Flegg and Ros Bates, who were later forced to quit over controversies surrounding meetings with lobbyists.

The government was also tarnished by the sacking of Mr Newman’s ‘‘handpicked’’ transport department Director-General, Michael Caltabiano, which is yet to be explained.

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The state’s corruption watchdog has launched an investigation in to the appointment of Ms Bates’ son to a high-paid job in Mr Caltabiano’s department.

This month, the member for Redcliffe Scott Driscoll has been forced to defend himself against allegations of wrong doing including claims he’s misused taxpayers’ money to run a retail lobby group from his electorate office.

He says problems stem from an air of arrogance almost expected from an overwhelming government majority, he said was compounded with the way Mr Newman led; as if he were Lord Mayor and the state government was similar to the way council operated.

‘‘There’s a Sun King complex,’’ Prof Prasser said.

‘‘In Queensland, the sunshine state, everything revolves around the premier and you can’t run a government like that.’’

But Prof Prasser, like many other political pundits, was also quick to praise Mr Newman and his government for its successes, including the inquiry into the health payroll debacle.

The political analyst said the government’s real test will come in the next 12 months, when it will no longer be able to blame teething problems.

Premier Campbell Newman said it’s been a painful experience to shed so many public service jobs, but he was left with no choice after years of financial mismanagement by Labor.

And he said he’s kept his word to Queenslanders who voted for him by cutting red tape, lowering the cost of living, boosting the economy and moving to fix the state’s finances.

‘‘As the second year of the government begins, Queenslanders can be assured that the government will continue working hard to ensure they have access to the great jobs, great lifestyle and great services that they deserve,’’ Mr Newman said.